Whereas police officers are indispensable members of the community who put their lives on the line to protect others;

Whereas promoting strong relationships, founded in trust and mutual respect, between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve helps ensure the safe and effective execution of the law;

Whereas relationships developed through community policing help protect both law enforcement officers and civilians;

Whereas law enforcement officers and communities that work together to address public safety concerns can create lasting solutions to difficult challenges;

Whereas community policing has helped produce reductions in both violent and property crime;

Whereas events in recent years have sparked a nationwide call to improve the interactions between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve;

Whereas community policing facilitates peaceful dialogue, capable of fostering understanding and trust, between law enforcement officers and civilians;

Whereas community policing informs the public about the challenges that law enforcement officers face in executing their duties and provides law enforcement officers insight into the concerns of community members;

Whereas a long-term commitment to community policing is necessary to eliminate the underlying causes of crime;

Whereas the advancement of community policing should be supported to ensure that State and local law enforcement agencies have necessary resources; and

Whereas community policing has been recognized as an important tool for improving the relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve: Now, therefore, be it